The Business of Art: How Leonardo da Vinci Built His Career as an Artist
Leonardo da Vinci is considered one of the greatest artists of all time, and for good reason. His works, including the Mona Lisa and The Last Supper, are famous around the world. But how did he become such a successful artist? In this article, we'll explore the business of art in da Vinci's time and how he navigated it to build his career.
The Renaissance Art Market
Da Vinci was born in 1452 in Florence, Italy, during the Renaissance period. This was a time of great artistic innovation and creativity, with many artists vying for commissions and patronage. The art market of the time was highly competitive and difficult to navigate, but da Vinci managed to establish himself as a successful artist.
Apprenticeship and Early Career
Da Vinci began his career as an artist by working as an apprentice in the studio of Andrea del Verrocchio. Here, he learned the skills of painting, sculpture, and metalworking. After completing his apprenticeship, he started working independently and was soon receiving his own commissions.
One of da Vinci's early works was The Baptism of Christ, which he completed with Verrocchio. This painting helped establish da Vinci's reputation as a talented artist and allowed him to receive more commissions.
Commissioned Works
One of the main ways that artists made money during this time was through commissions from wealthy patrons. These patrons would hire artists to create works of art for their homes or public buildings. Da Vinci was highly skilled at creating commissioned works and received many throughout his career.
One of his most famous commissions was The Last Supper, which he created for the Dominican monastery Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan. This work established da Vinci as one of the most talented artists of his time and helped secure him future commissions.
Personal Projects
In addition to commissioned works, artists were also encouraged to pursue personal projects. These projects allowed artists to experiment with their creativity and develop their skills. Da Vinci was highly skilled at creating personal projects and was always working on something new.
One of his most famous personal projects was the Mona Lisa, which he worked on for over a decade. This painting is now one of the most recognizable works of art in the world and has helped solidify da Vinci's status as a genius artist.
Conclusion
In conclusion, da Vinci was able to succeed in the highly competitive art market of the Renaissance period by mastering the skills of painting, sculpture, and metalworking during his apprenticeship. He was able to establish himself as a talented artist through commissioned works and personal projects, and his works still continue to inspire and captivate people around the world.
If you're interested in pursuing a career in art, it's important to remember that it's not just about the art itself. Success depends on navigating the business side of the art world, whether that's finding patrons, marketing your work, or developing your skills to stand out among other artists.
